Heart Rate monitor

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Replies

  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Just a note on Garmins - not every model that comes with a HRM uses the HR for calorie computation. Both the 405 and 305 do not. I realize they are valuable for other reasons but if you are looking for calorie estimates based on HR makes sure it uses heart rate based calorie computation.

    Then how is it calculating. I never thought about it before but I check my HR wearing it at times and the calorie report seems reasonable to my activity.

    It uses similar data tables to things like mapmyrun.
    I'm not saying it's not reasonable, most of these data tables are well researched and fairly reliable. Just pointing out that it isn't HR based. HR base is not necessarily the best way. The link above gives a great explanation.
  • cyndilie
    cyndilie Posts: 52
    Polar FT7!!!
  • perfect_storm
    perfect_storm Posts: 326 Member
    I have a Polar too, love it, it is almost 3 years old and still going strong.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Since it hasn't been mentioned.

    All the currently sold Garmins base calorie burn on HR, you'd have to find an older model that didn't. As mentioned though, accurate pace (with GPS you got that) and weight (your running weight not naked weight), will have walking and running probably more accurate than cheaper HRM's. Biking can be decent if longer rides. Other activities forget it like gym classes forget it on older ones.

    In which case use this to figure out.
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html

    For Polar, if you want a chance at any accuracy, skip the cheaper models that make the most assumptions about your stats, don't show them to you, and don't let you manually correct them with better - so skip the FT4 and FT7 and several other cheaper ones.

    The cheapest I've found with the required VO2max stat and self-test and means to manually change it - Polar RS300X.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Since it hasn't been mentioned.

    All the currently sold Garmins base calorie burn on HR, you'd have to find an older model that didn't. As mentioned though, accurate pace (with GPS you got that) and weight (your running weight not naked weight), will have walking and running probably more accurate than cheaper HRM's. Biking can be decent if longer rides. Other activities forget it like gym classes forget it on older ones.

    In which case use this to figure out.
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html

    For Polar, if you want a chance at any accuracy, skip the cheaper models that make the most assumptions about your stats, don't show them to you, and don't let you manually correct them with better - so skip the FT4 and FT7 and several other cheaper ones.

    The cheapest I've found with the required VO2max stat and self-test and means to manually change it - Polar RS300X.


    Good to know. I didn't realize all the new ones did. I just knew I found out my 305 didn't.
  • kariparks08
    kariparks08 Posts: 3
    I have the Polar FT7 and love it. Polar is the brand I hear most people using, but I'm sure most are good. Just make sure you get the chest strap as someone else mentioned, it is far more accurate. Also I found the website heartratemonitors.com has the best prices on them. Congrats on being so close to your goal weight, that is awesome!!!!

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